RMTC Promotes Hardy to Full-Time Executive Director

The Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) announced today that its part-time Executive Director, Dr. Michael Hardy, has been promoted to full-time Executive Director of the RMTC. In his new position, Dr. Hardy will be responsible for the management of the RMTC's Laboratory Accreditation and External Quality Assurance Program in conjunction with the new Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit and will also administer the RMTC's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) process, manage the organization's monitoring of emerging threats to the integrity of racing, and oversee the process of reviewing applications received for all RMTC-funded post-doctoral fellowships and research proposals. In addition, Dr. Hardy will coordinate the internationally recognized RMTC RegVet CE programs.  As part-time executive director since late 2022, Dr. Hardy directed the efforts of the RMTC's Scientific Advisory Committee in developing and publishing withdrawal guidance for controlled therapeutic medications in response to the implementation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program while also leading the efforts of the RMTC to educate thoroughbred racing participants concerning the significant changes in the regulation of anti-doping and medication control that began on May 22, 2023, with the implementation of the new HISA's ADMC program.

"We are very pleased to have Dr. Hardy on board in a full-time capacity," said RMTC Chair Alex Waldrop. "The Board of Directors has determined that the work of the RMTC and its scientific advisory committee continue to be uniquely relevant to the horseracing industry's efforts to fairly and safely regulate the use of therapeutic medications and aggressively detect and deter the use of prohibited substances. In this regard, Dr. Hardy is the right person to lead these important efforts going forward." 

Dr. Hardy started his career as a racing regulatory veterinarian in 2008, first for the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission and subsequently since 2013 for Horseshoe Indianapolis (previously Indiana Grand Racing & Casino). Additionally, he has served as a Veterinary Panel member for Breeder's Cup since 2015.

Hardy served on the RMTC's Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee (HTLC) from 2019 to 2022 where he assisted in strategic implementation of the Laboratory Accreditation Program. The HTLC serves as a consultant to the RMTC Board and Executive Committee on matters related to the Laboratory Accreditation Program and RMTC-accredited laboratories.

In addition, he has also presented at various veterinary and industry-related conferences, including RMTC's RegVet CE, on topics of pre-race examinations, injury prevention, emergency response, race-day injury management, and horse racing testing laboratory accreditation. 

In other business at its October 2nd meeting, the RMTC Board approved the development, organization, and financial support of a Racing Industry Veterinary Student Externship Program in response to the supply and demand concerns associated with available equine-specific veterinarians to meet the racing industry needs. This program will provide a shared experience for veterinary students with racetrack practitioners and regulatory veterinarians with the objective to promote and provide exposure to and networking opportunities in equine veterinary medicine within the racing industry to prospective veterinarians.

"The success of the racing industry is dependent on the recruitment, availability, and retention of motivated attending and regulatory veterinary professionals to oversee the safety and welfare of its participants," said Dr. Hardy. "The RMTC will join other equine industry organizations taking an active role in promoting careers in equine veterinary medicine."

Details of this program will be made available to the industry well in advance of RMTC's anticipated call for applications in early 2024.